VI ORGANIZATIONS

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated March 11, 2018

The following are resource books and online resources specific to working with students who are blind or visually impaired. If there are additional resource books or websites you feel should be listed here, please let me know by completing the form below and I will add them.

---

General VI Organizations

The American Academy of Ophthalmology

​The American Academy of Ophthalmology or Eyenet –provides authoritative information about eye care for the public including eye diseases & conditions, information on glasses, contacts and LASIK, a symptom checker, and a search for ophthalmologists in your area.. Distributes information on eye disorders and low vision.

American Council of the Blind (ACB) 

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a membership organization of people who are blind and visually impaired.  Uses advocacy and education to improve the well-being of people who are visually impaired. The ACB holds an annual conference and convention which includes a trade show of all the latest high- and low-tech devices for blind and visually impaired individuals, a variety of seminars, workshops, and break-out sessions on a variety of topics for parents, students, teachers, braille users, guide dog users, visually impaired entrepreneurs, lawyers, and much more.

American Optometric Association

The American Optometric Association provides information on low vision and maintains a list by state of their members who specialize in low vision.

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) ​

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is the worlds’ largest agency devoted solely to creating products and services for people who are visually impaired.  Their publications, assistive devices, and materials are available through catalogs and on line. In addition, APH also offers webcasts on a wide range of topics including trainings specific to products offered by APH.

Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)

The Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) is an international membership organization of professionals who work in all phases of education and rehabilitation of children
and adults who are blind and visually impaired. AER offers online courses through the Mangold online program.

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) ​

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a non-profit organization that provides information, directories, publications, and links on visual impairment and blindness issues. They promote employment, independent living, literacy, and technology for people with visual impairments. They also provide referrals to local rehabilitation services. The AFB eLearning Center offers an accessible Learning environment that includes online courses, webinars (both live and archived), and ePublications. They also hold the annual AFB Leadership Conference​.

The Carroll Center for the Blind

The Carroll Center for the Blind provides help for people who are blind including training and adaptive devices to individuals of all ages who have lost their sight so they can live independent and fulfilling lives. They also offer technical training and low vision products as well as online courses and video tutorials.

​Division of Visual Impairment

The primary purpose of the Division of Visual Impairment is to advance the education of individuals with visual impairments and to promote related educational, scientific, and charitable purposes. Specifically, the Division intends: to assist and provide support to The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in all its efforts on behalf of persons with exceptionalities, and to participate in all appropriate governance activities of CEC subject to the general supervision and control of CEC.

Do It Blind

Do It Blind is a leader in JAWS script development (a proprietary programming language) and Blind Accessibility solutions. Their primary goal is to empower the visually impaired through the use of cutting edge technology, screen readers and JAWS script programming. 

Envision

Envision promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or low vision. Envision’s mission is to improve the quality of life and provide inspiration for the blind and visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research. Education is a central focus of Envision’s mission but the organization also presents various programs throughout the year for specialists and for students who are blind and visually impaired, including several assistive technology camps for middle and high school students. Their annual conference brings in experts from around the globe to share information, and a series of grand rounds programs focusing on specific areas of low vision. ​

​International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment

International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) is a global association of individuals and organizations that promotes equal access to appropriate education for all children and youth with visual impairment so that they may achieve their full potential. Their website includes information that is relevant not only to ICEVI in general, but, most importantly, to the activities that take place in the seven regions of ICEVI: Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America/Caribbean, Pacific, and West Asia.

Lighthouse International ​

Lighthouse International provides vision rehabilitation services, education, research, prevention and advocacy. It can refer you to service providers in your area. Lighthouse provides professional development and public education. It also conducts researching the area of visual impairments.

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is "the oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the United States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become independent and successful.”

National Technical Assistance Center on Blindness and Visual Impairment

National Technical Assistance Center on Blindness and Visual Impairment (NTAC-BVI) in or with the field of rehabilitation of persons who are blind or visually impaired. Most are available through PowerPoint slide and lecture. In order to get continuing education credit,the student must complete a full course, pass the quiz with a score of at least 80% and complete a course evaluation. 

The Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) ​

The Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) is committed to improving education for people with visual disabilities. In addition to in-person and online training and professional development (see their University of Massachusetts listing under Professional Preparation Programs), they host an employment board, professional directory, and Listserv. Although their focus is on the Northeast Region of the United States, they provide valuable information and current news and events that are applicable to all regions.

Paths to Literacy ​

Paths to Literacy is a collaborative project between the Perkins School for the Blind and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). These two schools have combined their resources and expertise in order to assist educators and families in providing literacy experiences for children who are blind or visually impaired. Information includes an overview of literacy and challenges specific to students who are visually impaired. Join their blog for the latest information!

Positive Eye ​

Postive Eye director, Gwyneth McCormack, provides training and consultation to Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments across the UK. In addition to courses, she offers a Shared Ideas page with great activity suggestions on a range of topics specific to working with students who are blind or visually impaired as well as a Top Access Tips page with curriculum access suggestions.

Prevent Blindness America ​

Postive Eye director, Gwyneth McCormack, provides training and consultation to Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments across the UK. In addition to courses, she offers a Shared Ideas page with great activity suggestions on a range of topics specific to working with students who are blind or visually impaired as well as a Top Access Tips page with curriculum access suggestions.

Free Membership

Sign up for free membership to access the FREE downloadable templates, handbooks and handouts on the Printables page. Simply click on the Log In | Register link in the navigation bar. If you haven't joined yet, you will be prompted to create a password. ​

Job Posting Service

Shop

TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC: An Activities Based Curriculum for Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

$50.00

Written specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), this book consists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level.

The core activities listed in the Activity section can be adapted to each thematic unit. These include:

• Object Characteristic Activities
• Quantity & Number Concepts
• Time Concept Activities
• Environment & Job Awareness Activities
• Listening Skills Activities
• Reading Foundation Activities
• Reading Fluency Activities
• Braille Basics Activities
• Writing Activities
• Tactual Efficiency Activities
• Developing Skillful Hands Activities
• Visual Efficiency Activities
• Optical Device Instruction Activities
• Recipe Activities

In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites.

Unique Concepts within the Units include:

• Self Advocacy Activities (e.g. advocating for safe classroom, presenting to class on visual impairment, requesting help and more)
• Social Skills Activities (e.g. Being bullied or teased, giving and receiving compliments, body language, "I" messages when upset and more)
• Recreation & Leisure Activities (e.g. exploring interest areas, getting involved in clubs and sports, playing games, and more)
• O&M Support Activities (e.g. Suggestions for community based experiences, dog guide information, locations in the school, bioptics, ride sharing, traffic signs, and more)
• Independent Living Skill Activities (e.g. chores, being responsible, using tools, recipe suggestions, hygiene, staying healthy, labeling foods and products, and more)
• Sensory Efficiency Activities (e.g. unique sensory experiences related to the unit, unique optical device activities, and more)
• Compensatory Activities (e.g. organizing materials, study habits, and many unique concepts related to the unit)
• Career & Vocational Activities (e.g. job awareness, completing applications, job task suggestions, and more)

Although the intended audience of this resource is fellow Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, special education teachers may find these activities beneficial to the students in their classrooms as the activities are multisensory and include life skills and concepts needed by all students. This resource, however, is not intended to take the place of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Readers are advised to consult their own TVI’s regarding instruction in the ECC and the unique visual needs of the student’s served in their programs.

Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number.

Each download is intended for single instructor use per copyright. Thank you for helping me preserve the content and not distributing copies to third parties.

Product details

Digital pdf download: 364 pages (11 pt font)

Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments

Author: Carmen Willings

Language: English

Shop

Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency Grab & Go ECC Supplements

$20.00

This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a supplement to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units.  

Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details:

Digital pdf download: 210 pages

Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments

Author: Carmen Willings

Language: English

Shop